Happy Thanksgiving

Wishing you and your loved ones a delicious day with much to be thankful for today and throughout the holiday season!

xo,
Tammy



Photo courtesy of The Norman Rockwell Museum in The Berkshires.

Thanksgivukkah Inspiration

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This year, for the first time in our lifetime, Thanksgiving and the first day of Chanukah fall on the same date. For those who celebrate both holidays, November 28^th introduces an unprecedented convergence that popular culture has warmly come to call…Thanksgivukkah! This is the first time the two holidays have coincided since 1888, and according to various calculations, it won’t happen again for over 75,000 years.

It brings us so much pleasure seeing what our clients and friends have come up with for the double-holiday. From pumpkin challah stuffing to butternut squash latkahs with cranberry applesauce, it seems like the possibilities are truly endless -- and so much fun!

In my family, we’ve created something of a competition out of who can come up with the recipe that most creatively and deliciously blends the flavors of both holidays.

We’ve also traded in our traditional holiday gift swap for a new game we’re calling “Thanks-and-Giving.” To play, each guest is given the name of another guest to secretly purchase a gift for. In honor of Chanukah, each person receives a gift and in honor of Thanksgiving, each person is asked to include a card along with their gift telling their gift-recipient why they’re thankful for them this Thanksgivukkah. I have a feeling even after this year’s super-holiday has passed, that this one might be a tradition well worth hanging on to.

As you plan your own celebrations, what traditions and recipes from each holidays have you decided to incorporate? Which have you created in honor of the occasion? We’d love to hear what ideas you’re coming up with.

We’re continuing to compile all the gorgeous, thoughtful and creative ideas we can get our hands on, so if you’re looking for a bit of inspiration, please check out our Pinterest board devoted to Thanksgivukkah here.  If you're still hungry for more eye candy, you can check out all of our Pinterest collections here.

Happy holidays!

Xo,

Talia

The Holiday Dinner

One of the benefits of having worked at The New York Times for the better part of a decade is that you never know who's coming to dinner. I've been alternating Thanksgivings and this year I celebrated the feast with friends in Brooklyn. Pulitzer prize winning photographer Ruth Fremson joined us for dinner after having shot the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in Manhattan. She had her camera and kindly agreed to snap a few photos. Here is a glimpse inside my Thanksgiving this year.

Even the best hostesses know what and when to delegate. Beth's sister Judy asked to set the table, I gladly accepted her offer. Instead of asking how to fold the napkins her crew googled "how to fold napkins" and carefully instructed their mom on how to do so.

Usually I get kale to line the turkey platter. We overlooked the kale this year, thus we strategically placed the celery, cranberries, lemons, and pears so the aluminum foil was not visible.



Bite sized sweet potato pies topped with toasted miniature marshmallows are not photogenic but were a fun and welcome alternative to serving another heavy side dish.

I deconstructed a traditional green bean casserole and made individual size portions. They were prepared with homemade mushroom soup, fresh Parmesan cheese and caramelized onions.






In addition to traditional recipes, great company, an excellent vibe, lots of wine and pumpkin roll, guests were treated to an eloquently delivered toast. Thanks to Ruth for the photos and much gratitude to Beth and Joe for opening their home and hosting a beautiful holiday once again!

Good luck in your holiday dinner preparations. What treasures will be on your table?

Pumpkin Pie Alternative

Not so much into the pie?

A dear friend and loyal reader recently asked me for a dessert suggestion to make for Thanksgiving. I thought I'd share the recipe here as well. It's a family and personal favorite.

Pumpkin Roll

Prep: 45 min - Cook: 15 min - Cool: 60 min

CAKE:
1/4 cup powdered sugar (to sprinkle on towel)
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon salt
3 large eggs
1 cup granulated sugar
2/3 cup LIBBY'S 100% Pure Pumpkin
1 cup walnuts (optional), chopped

FILLING:
1 pkg. (8 oz.) cream cheese, softened
1 cup powdered sugar, sifted
6 tablespoons butter or margarine, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 cup powdered sugar (optional)


FOR CAKE:
PREHEAT oven to 375°F. Grease 15 x 10-inch jelly-roll pan; line with wax paper. Grease and flour paper. Sprinkle a thin, cotton kitchen towel with powdered sugar.

COMBINE flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves and salt in small bowl. Beat eggs and sugar in large mixer bowl until thick. Beat in pumpkin. Stir in flour mixture. Spread evenly into prepared pan. Sprinkle with nuts.

BAKE for 13 to 15 minutes or until top of cake springs back when touched. Immediately loosen and turn cake onto prepared towel. Carefully peel off paper. Roll up cake and towel together, starting with narrow end. Cool on wire rack.

FOR FILLING:
BEAT cream cheese, powdered sugar, butter and vanilla extract in small mixer bowl until smooth. Carefully unroll cake; remove towel. Spread cream cheese mixture over cake. Reroll cake. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate at least one hour. Sprinkle with powdered sugar before serving, if desired.

Makes 10 servings

Note: Be sure to put enough powdered sugar on the towel when rolling up the cake so it will not stick.

You can certainly make this in advance and freeze it until you plan to serve it. It's also great if you need to bring a dessert, as it travels well.

What is your favorite Thanksgiving recipe?

Countdown to Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is almost here. My traditional stuffing, bourbon cranberry sauce, pumpkin cream cheese roll, mashed potato feast will be enjoyed with some of my favorites in Brooklyn. This will be the prelude to my Discover Brooklyn stint which begins in December. There are cookies parties, holiday fairs and endless treasures to unveil.

Meanwhile, I've been helping the kind folks at Temporary Staffing by Suzanne prepare for the holiday gift giving season. Their Fifth Avenue office is a midtown haven, I have enjoyed getting to know this team better. I am working on my 40 before 40 list, even though I have a few years, some of the items are lofty so the sooner I can get started the better my chances are for accomplishing everything. I have had excellent wedding consultations the last two Saturdays, both brides brought great ideas to the table. Yesterday was a fantastic farewell party and I am working on a very special assignment I am excited to share with you soon.

In the spirit of the season, this year I am especially thankful for four happy years in my home, amazing friends who have generously offered me their help and support as I prepare for a new chapter and as always my family whose love inspires me to succeed.

If you are like me, you are selective about how you consume your calories and carbohydrates. Need excellent pie for Thanksgiving? I recommend Hubbard Avenue Diner in Middleton, Wisconsin and Briermere Farms in Riverhead, New York.



What are you thankful for?